Two teens charged in death of New York girl

Niagara Falls Police crime scene investigators work in the alley between Third and Forth Streets and Ferry and Walnut Avenues in Niagara Falls, N.Y., near where the body of missing 5-year-old Isabella Sarah Tennant was found Monday, Aug. 27, 2012.

Dan Cappellazzo/AP

Amanda Kwan

March 26, 2017August 28, 2012

Two teens have been charged in connection with the death of a 5-year-old girl in Niagara Falls, NY, after her body was found in a garbage can.

John Freeman, 16, and Tyler Best, 18, made their first court appearance Tuesday morning in Niagara Falls City Court, where they were arraigned.

The arrest was made after Mr. Best led officers to a trash can where they found a bag containing the body of Isabella Tennant. Police say Mr. Best told them that he helped his friend dispose the body after Mr. Freeman killed the girl.

Story continues below advertisement

Mr. Freeman was charged as an adult with second degree murder. Mr. Best has been charged with evidence tampering.

On Monday morning, Isabella's family reported her missing from her great-grandmother's house in Niagara Falls, where she was staying overnight while her mother worked at a nearby bar.

The victim's great-grandmother told police she last saw Isabella on Sunday night with Mr. Freeman, a neighbour and family friend.

At a news conference Monday afternoon, Niagara Falls Chief Detective William Thompson said there were injuries to the body but no signs of sexual abuse.

"As far as we know, he was a trusted family friend," Mr. Thompson said. "It's a terrible crime. It tears at your heart."

The Globe invites you to share your views. Please stay on topic and be respectful to everyone. For more information on our commenting policies and how our community-based moderation works, please read our Community Guidelines and our Terms and Conditions.

We’ve made some technical updates to our commenting software. If you are experiencing any issues posting comments, simply log out and log back in.